Brass sestertius of Titus, showing the Colosseum

Roman, AD 80-81
Minted at Rome, Italy

An image of one of the greatest surviving
buildings from ancient Rome

Roman coins often depicted buildings and monuments in the city
of Rome. The Colosseum is easily recognized because so much of it
still survives to this day. Its ancient name was the Flavian
Amphitheatre, after the Flavian dynasty founded by the emperor
Vespasian (AD 69-79). It was planned during his reign, but
dedicated and opened by his son, Titus, in AD 80, the year when
this coin was made. The Colosseum is a marvel of ancient
engineering. With an estimated capacity of 50,000, seats were
arranged in three tiers corresponding to the bottom three of the
four storeys visible on the coin. The oval-shaped structure
measures 188 by 156 metres (205 by 170 yards) and is 52 metres (170
feet) high.

The arena itself had a wooden floor. Underneath it were located
cages for beasts, and drains. These were to service the events that
took place in the amphitheatre, including gladiatorial combat and
wild beast fights. The word 'arena' comes from the Latin for sand,
which covered the floor to soak up the large quantities of blood
spilt during the entertainments. Sometimes the arena was filled
with water for staging mock sea-battles fought between prisoners of
war and condemned criminals.